Temperature-Adaptive Pressure Sensor Calibration for Engine Air Intake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for resetting pressure sensors in an internal combustion engine's air intake line do not account for temperature variations, leading to significant degradation in measurement accuracy due to constant compensation, which can result in non-starting or performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the reset compensation for pressure sensors based on the temperature of the sensor, using a multiplicative corrective factor calculated from known error templates to adapt the initial compensation to changing operating temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If constant reset compensation is applied to pressure sensors, then the sensors can be calibrated at an initial temperature, but measurement accuracy degrades significantly when temperature varies from the calibration point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure sensor accuracyVSAvoidtemperature adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static reset compensation value (calibrated at initial temperature) to a dynamic compensation value that varies with temperature. The system continuously adjusts the reset compensation based on real-time temperature measurements, ensuring the pressure sensor maintains accuracy across varying operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction by making the compensation adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of reset compensation from a constant value to a temperature-dependent variable. By introducing temperature as a controlling parameter and using the relationship Cr(T) = k(T) × Cr(T1), the system adjusts the compensation value according to temperature changes. This parameter change enables the system to maintain measurement precision across different thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If reset compensation is adjusted based on temperature with a multiplicative corrective factor, then measurement accuracy is maintained across varying temperatures, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure sensor accuracyVSAvoidcompensation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the temperature of the pressure sensor and using this information to adjust the reset compensation in real-time. The temperature measurement feeds back into the compensation calculation, creating a closed-loop system that automatically maintains accuracy. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing an automated, self-adjusting solution rather than requiring manual recalibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the physical condition (sensor temperature) and the compensation value. By using temperature as an intermediate variable to determine the corrective factor k(T), the system creates a straightforward relationship that simplifies the overall complexity despite the dynamic adjustment. This intermediary approach makes the temperature compensation manageable and implementable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If pressure sensors are calibrated at a single initial temperature, then the calibration process is simple and quick, but the compensation becomes inadequate when operating conditions change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the initial calibration at a reference temperature T1 to establish a baseline reset compensation Cr(T1). This preliminary calibration is simple and quick, but it is supplemented by a temperature-dependent corrective factor that is applied during operation. The preliminary action maintains ease of manufacture while the subsequent temperature-based adjustment ensures reliability under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a static single-temperature calibration to a dynamic multi-temperature compensation system. The initial calibration remains simple (performed once at T1), but the system dynamically adjusts the compensation during operation based on temperature variations using the relationship Cr(T) = k(T) × Cr(T1). This dynamic approach maintains calibration simplicity while ensuring measurement reliability across different operating temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3411581B1Method for calibrating a pressure sensor in an air intake line of an engine with compensation according to temperature
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3411581B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3411581B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3411581B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for calibrating at least one pressure sensor positioned in an air intake line of an internal combustion engine, for which said at least one pressure sensor is calibrated with the engine stopped at an initial temperature (T1) by compensating the initial calibration (Cr(T1)) according to the equation Cr(T1)= Pcap(T1) - Pref(T1), the engine being stopped, Pcap(T1) being the measurement of pressure by said at least one pressure sensor, and Pref(T) the reference pressure, the measurement of said at least one pressure sensor being calibrated by the initial calibration compensation (Cr(T1)) thus calculated. With the engine running, at a given temperature (T), the calibration compensation (Cr(T)) is adjusted from said initial calibration compensation (Cr(T1)) depending on the temperature (T) of said at least one pressure sensor by a multiplying correction factor.